“Doing less with less”, Gatineau focused on strategic use of funds facing budget constraints 

Sophie Demers 

Gatineau’s administration and elected officials gathered at city hall to go over this year's budget.  Optimizing spending and using funds strategically are priorities for Gatineau, now facing a tight budget. Despite past years having surpluses of tens of millions, this year's anticipated surplus is $1.2 million of last year's $877 million, which is 0.1% of the budget. This means the 2026 budget is much tighter than previous years. 

“The means are limited by the municipal tax, which is out-of-date, as well as inflation, which increases the cost of everything,” said Maude Marquis-Bissonnette. “In addition, there are huge needs in all areas. We have to be rigorous because people’s ability to pay is limited. This rigour comes in the form of optimization, updating of infrastructure planning cycles, which will allow us to optimize each expenditure in terms of infrastructure. We must be ambitious; otherwise, the problems accumulate and become bigger.” 

The proposed budget totals $925.6 million, a $48.6 million increase from last year's, which represents a 5.6% increase in spending. This budget details a 3% increase for residential property tax and a 4% increase for non-residential property tax. 

The budget is broken down into nine spending categories. It allocates $155.5 million (16.8%) to police and fire services, $144 million (15.6%) for public works, $111.5 million (12%) for capital assets, $106.3 million (11.5%) for administration, $103.9 million (11.2%) for public transit, $82.8 million (8.9%) for water and the environment, $68.5 million (7.4%) towards debt service, and $41 million (4.4%) for urban planning, mobility, and infrastructure. The remaining $43.7 million (4.7%) is categorized as “Other”. 

“This has probably been the most difficult administrative exercise we have had to do to be able to present a balanced budget,” said Simon Rousseau, City of Gatineau Executive Director. “You will possibly see over the course of the week some adjustments in the level of services.” He later noted that the city has a $55 million structural deficit. Which means government spending is exceeding its revenue. A structural deficit isn’t influenced by fluctuations in the economy but by long-term policy decisions. Rousseau emphasized the importance of optimizing spending and finding areas to increase revenue to solve the problems. 

The budget outlines $2.2 million for service improvement, which is particularly low compared to previous years. Société de Transport de l’Outaouais is receiving $88.4 million, which Edmond Leclerc said will be used to maintain the service improvement the STO has made to the public transit system. On January 1, vehicle registration tax will increase from $60 to $90 as planned. This revenue goes toward funding the STO. 

Another direct impact on residents includes a waste disposal fee increase from $174.61 to $178.83. 

“It's important to see that the effort we're making will have an impact on the tax amount paid by citizens. At the same time, at some point, we're going to have to do less with less,” said Steve Moran, President of the executive committee and Hull-Wright councillor. “That's the challenge. Last year, we didn't accept reducing the services to citizens. This year, we're starting to do that work.” 

Despite a new dynamic of two parties and independent members on the council, budget discussion proceeded calmly and respectfully with very little debate. By the end of discussion Gatineau Ensemble proposed nine amendments, all of which were rejected. 

“The budget is as it is, with the sources of income we have. I'm satisfied” said Julie Bélisle, Limbour councillor and Gatineau Ensemble member. “At least we kept the cap on the tax rate to help the citizens. It will give them a little respite for the next year or the years to come.” 

The budget will be officially voted on during the December 18 municipal council meeting. A preliminary vote was done. All the Action Gatineau council members voted in favour of the budget as well as Leclerc, Buckingham’s independent councillor. The other independent councillors and the Gatineau Ensemble members abstained from voting.